Co-defendant offers plea in sniper case

A Spartanburg man pleaded no contest Tuesday to three counts of attempted murder for his role in what authorities described as a sniper-style attack in July 2012.

By KIM KIMZEYkim.kimzey@shj.com

A Spartanburg man pleaded no contest Tuesday to three counts of attempted murder for his role in what authorities described as a sniper-style attack in July 2012.Mattison Tyler Schomer, 18, of 124 West Drive, appeared in court one day after his codefendant, Bryan Marion Holder, 21, of Boiling Springs, told Circuit Judge Benjamin Culbertson at a plea hearing that he didn't intend to harm anyone during the shooting. Holder said the pair was target practicing, but Holder denied shooting at anyone. That claim brought Monday's plea hearing to a halt.Culbertson rejected Holder's guilty pleas for attempted murder, saying the state must prove Holder had criminal intent and let a jury decide if Holder intended to kill anyone.Schomer entered Alford pleas to three counts of attempted murder and receiving stolen goods. In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that a jury would likely find him guilty.The prosecution alleges it was Holder who shot at three people.In court, 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette said Schomer told authorities that he and Holder were target shooting with guns Holder is accused of stealing from a home on Bethesda Road on June 28, 2012.Schomer claimed Holder began shooting at people, saying he thought he hit somebody with a 30.06 rifle.A young woman in the passenger seat of a vehicle was shot at about 1:30 a.m. July 2. She and a man were parked at the Raceway gas station at 8671 Asheville Highway, Barnette said. A third victim was washing gas pumps at the Ingles Gas Mart across the street.Barnette said although Schomer was not involved in the burglary, he and Holder attempted to sell the stolen guns. Barnette said Schomer later traded the gun he was shooting that night for drugs.Asked if he agreed with his client's decision to enter Alford pleas, attorney Brac Turnipseed said, “Under the facts and circumstances, I do.”

Turnipseed said Schomer had received a competency evaluation and was found competent to stand trial.Schomer will be sentenced after Holder's case is disposed.